Stability analysis of historic underground quarries

This work, carried out at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Territory Engineering and Architecture (DICATeA) of the University of Parma, analyzes the stability conditions of the ancient underground quarries of Viggiù (Varese, Italy). The objective of the study is to verify the actual structural predisposition to instability phenomena of the old Viggiù quarries, within the context of a historical and cultural valorization and recovery of the ancient ornamental stone quarries. These quarries, that are now completely abandoned, could be used as a tourist attraction and/or as a teaching environment. They are a wonderful example of industrial architecture by presenting an audacious composition of filled in trenches and room and pillar techniques. An experimental campaign based on in situ measurements and laboratory measurements has been carried out to characterize the rock mass and to determine rock mass mechanical features. A numerical model of the entire rock mass has been developed in order to analyze the stability of the entire underground openings. A preliminary monitoring phase has been realized, aimed at controlling abandoned rock structure movements at the most significant discontinuities. Some measurements of the vertical stress in the pillars and in the walls have been performed, as well, and used for the model calibration. Once the model has been calibrated, the analysis of the actual stress and deformation conditions has been evaluated, the stability condition of the entire structure computed and a forecasting analysis of any intervention that could be realized to guarantee the underground public access has been performed.     

Comparison of nonlinear static methods for the assessment of asymmetric buildings

Traditional nonlinear static methods, e.g. the original version of the N2 method implemented in Eurocode 8, are not always effective in the assessment of asymmetric structures because of the errors committed in the evaluation of the torsional response. To overcome this shortcoming, two methods have recently been suggested by Kreslin and Fajfar (Bull Earthquake Eng 10(2):695–715, 2012) and Bosco et al. (Earthq Eng Struct Dyn 41:1751–1773, 2012). In particular, the method proposed by Kreslin and Fajfar adjusts the results of the nonlinear static analysis by means of those of a standard modal response spectrum analysis. In the method proposed by Bosco et al., the researchers suggested the use of two nonlinear static analyses characterized by lateral forces applied to different points of the deck. In this paper, the two improved nonlinear static methods and the original N2 method are applied to predict the maximum dynamic response of single- and multi-storey systems subjected to artificial and recorded accelerograms. The results highlight that the improved nonlinear static methods provide estimates which are more accurate than those of the original N2 method. Further, the comparison of the results identifies the range of the structural properties within which the original N2 method is still reliable and the range within which one of the two improved methods should be preferred.     

Morphometric Analysis on the Size, Shape and Areal Distribution of Glacial Cirques in the Maritime Alps (Western French-Italian Alps)

The morphometry of 432 glacial cirques in the Maritime Alps (Western French‐Italian Alps), studied over several years of fieldwork, was analysed with the use of a geographical information system. Some of the parameters automatically evaluated from digital elevation models required an objective and relatively new definition. In particular, cirque length was measured along a line that, from the threshold midpoint, splits the cirque into two equivalent surfaces; cirque width was automatically drawn as the longest line inscribed in the cirque and perpendicular to the length line. Significant correlations were found among the different factors and parameters analysed. In particular, cirque shape analysis showed that cirques develop allometrically in the three dimensions, i.e. more in length and width than in altitudinal range. Nevertheless cirques of the Maritime Alps have a regular, almost circular shape (mean L/W value = 1.07). The correlations among length, width and area are all very high (r²= 0.8–0.9). In terms of size, cirques show a wide range in area from 0.06 to 5.2 km² with a mean value of 0.4 km². The largest cirques are found on SSW‐facing slopes and at high elevations. Small cirques can be found at all altitudes but all those at high elevation are part of compound cirques at the main head valleys. Most cirques (37%) are characterized by a northern aspect; NE and SW are also frequent directions.     

Does subduction polarity control metallogeny? The Mediterranean case

The distribution of ore‐deposit types in different sectors of the circum‐Mediterranean realm that have been affected by subduction processes since the Cretaceous varies in space and time. Sectors involved in W‐directed subduction (Sardinia, Apennines–Maghrebides, Internal Betics, Tyrrhenian, Western–Eastern Carpathians) are dominated by relatively low‐sulphidation epithermal (±VMS) deposits. Orogens formed by NE‐directed subduction (Dinarides–Hellenides–Pontides–Anatolides–Taurides; DHPAT) were initially dominated by pluton‐related porphyry–skarn–high‐sulphidation epithermal associations. These distinct metallogenic styles can be related to the systematic tectono‐magmatic asymmetry of E–NE‐ and W‐directed subduction systems and are analogous to the relationship observed in circum‐Pacific belts. Exceptions to this simple pattern occurred in the DHPAT in the Cenozoic, when deposit associations typical of both E‐directed and W‐directed systems were formed. Such exceptions are interpreted to reflect superimposition of contrasting subduction trends and inheritance from earlier metallogenic stages (Apuseni) or the interference of subduction processes with subduction‐unrelated extension (Hellenides, West Anatolia).     

Fast collocation

In this paper a new method to compute in a fast and reliable way the collocation solution is presented. In order to speed up the numerical procedures, some restrictions on input data are needed.The basic assumption is that data are gridded and homogeneous; this implies that the autocovariance matrix entering in the collocation formula is of Toeplitz type. In particular, if observations are placed on a two dimensional planar grid, the autocovariance matrix is a symmetric block Toeplitz matrix and each block is itself a symmetric Toeplitz matrix (Toeplitz/Toeplitz structure). The analysis can be extended to a regular geographical grid, considered as a generalization of the planar one, taking into account the distortions on the Toeplitz/Toeplitz structure induced by the convergence of the meridians. The devised method is based on a combined application of the Preconditioned Conjugate Gradient Method and of the Fast Fourier Transform. This allows a proper exploitation of the Toeplitz/Toeplitz structure of the autocovariance matrix in computing the collocation solution.The numerical tests proved that the application of this algorithm leads to a relevant decrease in CPU time if compared with standard methods used to solve a collocation problem (Cholesky, Levinson).     

On theJ-integrals associated with close binary systems: New recursion formulae

The integralsJ _, ^m were introduced by Kopal for the numerical evaluation of the light changes exhibited by eclipsing binaries when both the tidal and rotational distrotions are taken into account.This paper is a sequel to a previous one to appear in this journal and aims at ascertaining some recursion formulae for these integrals to alleviate the computational complexity of the problem.Using a relationship existing between theJ-integrals and the Appell hypergeometric series of the first kind, we have been able to obtain recursion formulae affecting all three parametersm , of these integrals. The present stage of development has also allowed for a complete enumeration of all independent recursion formulae applicable to the case of partial eclipses.Various recursion formulae, given here for the first time, generalize previous results by Kopal which were valid form=0 ory=0.     

Effectiveness of time-series analysis for thermal plume propagation assessment in an open-loop groundwater heat pump plant

Thermal perturbation produced in the subsurface by open-loop groundwater heat pumps (GWHPs) represents a complex transport phenomenon that is affected by several factors, including intrinsic characteristics of the exploited aquifer, abstraction and reinjection well features, and the temporal dynamics of the accessed groundwater. Post-GWHP water may have become warmed or cooled before being reinjected into the aquifer, thereby creating a thermal plume, known as the thermal affected zone (TAZ), which can alter aquifer temperature. The TAZ is propagated mainly by advection, after which the plume tends to degrade via conductive heat transport and convection within moving water. Groundwater monitoring and multiparametric probes are used to check the dynamics of plume propagation and whether a system’s thermal plumes are generating unsuitable interference with wells, subsurface infrastructure, or land use. Analyses of time-series groundwater monitoring data can be used to monitor TAZ movement. In this paper, the thermal plume velocity was calculated by both an analytical solution and cross-correlation. Cross-correlation calculated between temperature measured in the reinjection well and control downstream piezometers can reveal plume dynamics and demonstrate the importance of advective transport in aquifer heat transfer.